# demonstration

/ˌdɛmənˈstɹeɪʃən/ (US) · /dˌɛmənstɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/demonstration
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. showing how something works

noun · CEFR B1

an act of showing someone how to use a product or how a process works.

For teachers: the act of illustrating or explaining a process or product through practical application.

- The chef gave a quick demonstration of how to make the perfect pasta dough.
- The technical team provided a comprehensive demonstration of the new software, highlighting the security features that distinguish it from previous versions.

### 2. a public protest

noun · CEFR B1

a public meeting or march where many people show they disagree with something.

For teachers: a public display of group opinion, typically taking the form of a protest march or rally.

- Thousands of people joined the demonstration to ask for better pay for teachers.
- The peaceful demonstration filled the city square, with organisers calling for immediate legislative reform regarding environmental protections.

### 3. showing a feeling

noun · CEFR B2

a way of showing a feeling or quality through your actions.

For teachers: an outward expression or manifestation of a specific feeling, quality, or ability.

- The team's victory was a great demonstration of their hard work and skill.
- His calm response during the crisis was a remarkable demonstration of leadership under extreme pressure.

### 4. a logical proof

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a logical proof that shows why something must be true.

For teachers: the process of establishing a truth by a systematic logical argument or mathematical proof.

- The professor provided a clear demonstration of the theorem on the blackboard.
- The paper offers a rigorous demonstration of the hypothesis, relying on data collected over a ten-year longitudinal study.

### 5. military show of force

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a show of military power intended to warn or impress others.

For teachers: a show of military force or readiness intended to intimidate an enemy or deter aggression.

- The navy's demonstration in the bay was meant to discourage the rebels.
- The deployment of the carrier strike group was a calculated demonstration of naval superiority intended to stabilise the region.

## Examples

- The chef gave a quick demonstration of how to make pasta.
- Thousands of people joined the peaceful demonstration in the city center to protest the new tax laws.
- The software engineer provided a technical demonstration of the new encryption protocol, successfully proving its efficiency against common security threats during the live presentation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.